Rebecca is currently teaching at an area Lutheran school and is enrolled in the Transition to Teaching program to obtain her Wisconsin state teaching license and Master of Arts in Education degree.

As I progressed through the enrollment process at Wisconsin Lutheran College, I was impressed by the kindness and helpfulness of the advisors. The faculty and staff at WLC were by far the kindest and most sincere of any of the graduate schools I looked at. I feel like the advisors worked hard to get me started, and responded promptly to all of my questions.

My experience in the program has been great. My academic advisor responds quickly anytime I need guidance on how to move forward. The faculty have been wonderful ? extremely competent in their field of study. I?ve very much enjoyed learning from them.

The education I am receiving at Wisconsin Lutheran College is helping me grow personally and professionally. Everything I am learning is being implemented in my classroom and positively impacting my students. Truly, the Transition to Teaching program is one of a kind. Everyone I’ve worked with at WLC has been extremely kind and knowledgeable, going out of their way to see me succeed.

I encourage anyone with a desire to become a teacher to learn more about the Transition to Teaching program at Wisconsin Lutheran College. It?ll get you to where you want to be and help you positively make a difference in your classroom and in the world.

Click here to learn more about the Transition to Teaching program and teacher certification at Wisconsin Lutheran College.

One of my reasons for returning to school was to increase my use of new technology.? Prior to the Wisconsin Lutheran College?s accelerated degree completion program, I had never used MS PowerPoint and was self-taught in MS Word and a MS Excel forerunner known as Quattro Pro. Fax and email were my primary modes of communication, along with my four-year-old flip phone.? Last week, in a WLC German class, I commented to one of my much younger classmates that the overhead projector was the smartphone of my day!

Things have certainly changed in the past sixteen months.? I have taken Communication in the Business Setting, iPad for Business and Collaboration, and Digital Communication; all are courses which focus on new technology. Now I not only have a second screen for my laptop, but also an iPad and a smartphone, sometimes with all four glowing at the same time.? As a student in online courses, I have now used technology to facilitate group projects with a student in Arizona and another that was away on business in Ohio. We?ve held digital video meetings using technology that was somewhat foreign to me less than two years ago.

The very technology that necessitated my re-education is also facilitating that education.? Technology is a tremendous advantage to WLC?s program. Virtually every class has a project that requires at least one electronic presentation.? In German class, I play a German news video on my laptop and use an app on my iPad to assist my understanding and translating. Like other courses, Digital Communication was taught by an instructor who knows his way around Microsoft Office programs. Prior to that class, I struggled with Word 2007. I have now assembled presentations with animations, sounds, and videos ? and the possibilities seem endless. The calculations and financial analysis I?ve learned for Excel are enormous time savers in the classroom and workplace.

Things have definitely changed since the days of the Apple II that I used in college in my first accounting class 30 years ago. WLC is successfully integrating and projecting new technology into the adult degree completion program courses, and I readily embrace these technological learning experiences!

Learn more about Wisconsin Lutheran College’s accelerated degree completion program by visiting WLCdegrees.com.

I currently have a great job as a shift manager for a sandwich shop, but I often feel that I am not reaching my full potential and that I am called to do something different. In the last few years, I’ve felt the need to make something of myself, often getting frustrated that those around me seemed to have their lives all figured out and I still had no clue what I wanted to be when I grew up.

I decided to take the first step and graduated from Waukesha County Technical College with an associate degree in business management. It was a great first step, but I did not feel fulfilled and I wanted something more for myself. I?ve always admired Wisconsin Lutheran College?s beautiful campus as I drove by every day on my way to work, though never in my wildest dreams did I consider it an option when pursuing my bachelor?s degree.

I believe that my upcoming two years at Wisconsin Lutheran College will forever change my life. I am dedicated to earning my bachelor?s degree and I will work hard for it. I?ve already grown so much in the past couple of years, so I know that this new journey is something that I deserve to do for myself, and I will cherish it along the way. My success is important to me, and I plan to take the values and motivation that my parents instilled in me as a young adult to become the professional, well-educated person that I yearn to be.

Since starting at Wisconsin Lutheran College, I?ve had the chance to meet and work with some amazing people. I?m helping to spread the word about the wonderful program at WLC, and speaking with prospective students at area technical colleges. I hope to inspire others to fulfill their dream of earning a bachelor?s degree and a college education. I?m working on fulfilling mine.

As a recent graduate of Waukesha County Technical College, Chelsea has been instrumental in increasing awareness of WLC?s bachelor’s degree completion program among WCTC students, faculty, and staff.

A wireframing and mockup app that features an intuitive interface and functionality, allowing you to easily create a wireframe or mockup of a UI design (mobile or web) with ease.

GoodReader

This app quickly handles large PDF and TXT files, as well as books, movies, maps, and pictures. The PDF mark-up capability allows you to create text boxes, post sticky notes, draw lines and arrows, as well as freehand on top of a PDF file.

Polaris Office

Allows iPad users the ability to view and edit Microsoft Office documents, as well as view PDF files. The app works with various cloud storage devices and includes built-in templates, charts, figures, and functions.

To learn more about these and other mobile applications for business, consider enrolling in WLC’s “iPad for Business and Collaboration” course. This three-credit, undergraduate level course is perfect for anyone in business who desires to acquire technological skills needed in the 21st century workplace.

After receiving my associate degree from Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC), I knew that I wanted to further my education. I had a particular school in mind, but the cost would have strained my finances. Then, my associate dean at MATC told me about Wisconsin Lutheran College (WLC). Everything I was looking for was wrapped up in one package. It was affordable! I was excited to see that textbooks were included in the tuition price, without additional student fees.

Once I inquired about the accelerated degree completion program at Wisconsin Lutheran, I went from a prospect to a fully admitted student within two weeks. The process was extremely easy, unlike any other enrollment process I?ve seen. Nearly all of my prior college credits were accepted for transfer. I?m due to graduate within 20 months! It was refreshing to have an enrollment specialist there with me every step of the way.

One of my favorite things about the WLC?s program is its flexibility. If at any time I need to take classes online, I am capable of doing that. This is very important for me as a mom, full time employee, and a wife. The bachelor?s degree completion program is set up to provide adult students options and to ensure that no matter what life throws at you, the staff at Wisconsin Lutheran College will do whatever they can to help you succeed.

I can relate to the mission and foundation of Wisconsin Lutheran College. I think it?s beautiful and refreshing to attend a college that is willing to help adults get the education they’ve always wanted, while allowing it to be affordable. As a student, this confirms that Wisconsin Lutheran cares about their student?s needs, and as a Christian-based school, it highlights the true meaning of caring and giving to others.

]]>http://blogs.wlc.edu/ags/2013/08/08/matc-associate-degree-wisconsin-lutheran-college-bachelor-adult-program/feed/0WELSTech Podcasts at Google Education Summithttp://blogs.wlc.edu/ags/2013/08/07/welstech-podcasts-at-google-education-summit/
http://blogs.wlc.edu/ags/2013/08/07/welstech-podcasts-at-google-education-summit/#commentsWed, 07 Aug 2013 16:25:50 +0000http://blogs.wlc.edu/ags/?p=1713Martin and Sallie, from WELSTech, a podcast about how technology can be used to aid the work of the church, recorded video podcasts live from Discovery World during the 2013 Google Education Summit. During the podcasts, they chat with conference attendees and presenters about the innovations that Google Apps can bring to the classroom.

I have been a member of the Milwaukee Police Department for nearly 20 years and I?ve been assigned to several units and divisions. In those years, I have become family with my fellow officers and will bleed blue forever!

Going Back to School

A few years ago, I decided to go back to school to not only fulfill a lifelong dream of obtaining a bachelor?s degree, but to prepare for another career after law enforcement, as well as provide a proper example for my children. I enrolled at an area technical college and graduated with an associate degree in criminal justice. I then enrolled at Wisconsin Lutheran College (WLC), after thorough research of all of the schools in the area. I chose WLC due to the excellent national rankings the school has earned, as well as offering my desired major, business management and leadership. The small class sizes, beautiful campus, and reasonable tuition were secondary factors in my decision to enroll.

The Importance of Servant Leadership

While at WLC, I studied business management and leadership, specifically servant leadership.? Entering the program, I didn?t think that the leadership courses would be that significant to me, but the servant leadership concepts that the school taught me had a profound impact on my life. I immediately took to servant leadership like a fish to water and now practice it in every capacity that I possibly can.? I believe that helping others be the best that they can be is incredibly important, rewarding, and contagious.

Applying Knowledge and Skills

Last year, I decided to run for the Milwaukee Police Association (MPA) Executive Board, the union board that represents all 1,600 Milwaukee police officers and detectives.? During my campaign for the Board, I utilized many of the skills that I learned at WLC. For instance, I developed a strategy and timeline, created professional flyers, sent emails, and tweaked my resume? for distribution to the membership of would-be voters, all concepts and skills I learned within WLC?s program. I then went around the city to nearly all of the police department?s districts and bureaus and spoke to officers and detectives at their roll calls about my vision for the MPA. I was able to speak confidently and concisely to these masses, which I directly attribute to my WLC education.

Servant Leadership in Action

In October of 2012, I was elected by the membership to the seven-member MPA Board as a part-time Trustee. The Executive Board then later elected me in January of 2013 as their full-time Secretary/Treasurer. I have no doubt that my business and leadership education at WLC was a major factor in my selection to this position, as other Board members have told me that my credentials were a perfect fit for the job.

I am honored to be given the opportunity to represent the brave officers and detectives of the Milwaukee Police Department. I take this entrusted position very seriously and currently employ a servant leadership philosophy. Helping my fellow officers has become my life?s work and it?s incredibly rewarding.

The WLC Experience

I am truly grateful that I had the opportunity to attend WLC and found it to be one of the best experiences of my life. I thoroughly enjoyed working with each member of my cohort and feel that I made some lifelong friends. I also valued the excellent professors, as each were extremely knowledgeable, caring, and above all, servant leaders. The biggest compliment that I can give the school, is that one day I hope that my children enroll there.

I still make my way back to Wisconsin Lutheran College to regularly visit with staff and friends. I would like to use the servant leadership skills that I learned in the program and give back to the school in any way that I can. I now have tremendous loyalty to Wisconsin Lutheran and encourage everybody that I know considering college to enroll there. I am truly a Warrior for life!

Thank you WLC,

Shawn Lauda
Secretary/Treasurer of the Milwaukee Police Association

]]>http://blogs.wlc.edu/ags/2013/07/15/featured-ambassador-july-2013-shawn-lauda/feed/1Featured Ambassador – May 2013http://blogs.wlc.edu/ags/2013/05/20/featured-ambassador-may-2013/
http://blogs.wlc.edu/ags/2013/05/20/featured-ambassador-may-2013/#commentsMon, 20 May 2013 22:12:04 +0000http://blogs.wlc.edu/ags/?p=1677As Tom Zembruski celebrates the one year anniversary of his graduation from Wisconsin Lutheran College, earning his bachelor?s degree in Business Management and Leadership, he also celebrates a promotion as he transitions into a leadership role in his company, Air Products and Chemicals. Tom attributes his promotion, largely, to completing his bachelor?s degree. A few years back, Tom realized that although a degree does not guarantee a promotion, he?wouldn’t?be considered a serious candidate without furthering his education. In addition to his career advancement, Tom is rewarded by comments from acquaintances regarding how he is a different person since going back to school, as is evidenced by the way that he carries himself.

Tom was so inspired that he encouraged his wife, Amy, to pursue her bachelor?s degree at Wisconsin Lutheran College.?Amy is now halfway through her program and realizing greater potential in her role in the healthcare industry.

Tom recently, and graciously, accepted an invitation to serve as a member of WLC?s Alumni Board, representing the College of Adult and Graduate Studies. We are grateful for Tom?s passion and contributions and look forward to following his successes.

If you would like to become an AGS Ambassador, please contact Jennifer Christensen at 414.443.8763 or visit?WLCdegrees.com/Ambassador. You can make a difference!

]]>http://blogs.wlc.edu/ags/2013/05/20/featured-ambassador-may-2013/feed/1“Ask the Students” – May 2013http://blogs.wlc.edu/ags/2013/05/17/ask-the-students-favorite-college-class/
http://blogs.wlc.edu/ags/2013/05/17/ask-the-students-favorite-college-class/#commentsFri, 17 May 2013 21:49:29 +0000http://blogs.wlc.edu/ags/?p=1672?Ask the Students? is a simple concept that we are bringing to the Adult & Graduate Studies blog in an attempt to engage and understand our Wisconsin Lutheran College adult students.

This month, we asked our accelerated degree completion students to share with us a course within the Business Management and Leadership major?they have enjoyed, or a course that has made an impact on their lives.

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?My favorite course so far, without a doubt, has been Servant Leadership. I?ve spent more than 25 years working on production teams. Over the years I have taken notice of the qualities that make a good leader. A leader that practices servant leadership is one I remember, and one I want to emulate. It was very enjoyable to be?instructed by Pastor Kelm, with his vast wisdom and kindness. I desire to be a high school teacher, and I hope to instill in my students the value of leading as our Savior did, by being a servant first. In the meantime, those that I lead in a work environment, or kids I coach, will always know I have their best interest in mind in all the decisions I make concerning them.? ? Robert Lueth

?I found Servant Leadership to be my favorite course in the program.?I believe the human value of serving and helping others is an incredible concept that I strive to live by now. It has changed my entire view on how I interact with others, especially when I’m acting in a supervisory role.??It’s just a fantastic theory and way of thinking.?I learned an immense amount from that course and it was a profound discovery in my life!? ? Shawn Lauda

?Strategic Marketing was one of the best courses so far (only three left to go).? Our professor really brought the course to life and made it applicable to the work we do.? ? Philip Harkleroad

?There are so many courses that I enjoyed, however I will have to say that my favorite was Servant Leadership.?

I believe that this course gives Wisconsin Lutheran College graduates leverage. Some colleges and universities instruct business majors to focus on the bottom line; the Servant Leadership course at Wisconsin Lutheran College reminds us to focus on the individuals.?

When we lead with the compassion of Christ we take the “me” out of the equation. This course helped us to learn how to be successful leaders without comprising our compassion. Some individuals become more concerned about being recognized as great and important; however, the example that Jesus left for us is that in order to lead you must be willing to humble yourself and serve others.

What a great example of servant leadership Jesus left for us! In keeping this example in mind, Wisconsin Lutheran College presents a course that reminds us that being humble in leadership is not a sign of weakness, but in fact a sign of strength.? ? Juwana Roberts

?I am nearly half-way through my program, and so far my favorite course has been “Servant Leadership.” I learned not only what type of leader I should be, but what type all leaders should be, that of a servant. This is a class that all managers, supervisors, or leaders should take before stepping into that role. I learned about myself and how I can tweak things in my life to become a better person for and towards others. Learning about change leadership was impactful, including the reasons people resist change. I also enjoyed learning about the stages of conflict, how to read people, and how to put out smolders before they turn into forest fires.? ? Anonymous WLC degree completion student

Continuing my Education
When I reached my forties, I found myself in a dead end job, in a failing economy, and not being able to achieve my life goals. Then I lost that job. Soon after, I joined forces with friends and completed my associate degree from Milwaukee Area Technical College. However, I wanted to continue my education.

My daughter-in-law was a student at Wisconsin Lutheran College and tutored me in Algebra. I would meet her on WLC?s campus and think about how nice it would be to attend a beautiful college like this; however, I never thought I would be able to afford it. She informed me of the accelerated degree completion program. I met with an enrollment advisor and was sold.? Along with several of my friends from MATC, I began the program in the fall of 2012.

Wisconsin Lutheran College
Wisconsin Lutheran College is a beautiful place, and I?ve enjoyed a wonderful journey during my time here. The people at WLC ? from the students, to the staff, to the faculty ? are so genuine and nice. It feels like the red carpet was rolled out since day one, and is still there.

In addition to sharing program information with fellow classmates at MATC, Jan has visited area technical colleges and spoken with students who are graduating and considering whether to earn their bachelor?s degree. Her personal experience and her passion for adult education is evident. In fact, Jan has referred two students who plan to begin classes this upcoming fall, both enjoying a scholarship in her name!

If you would like to become an AGS Ambassador, please contact Jennifer Christensen at 414.443.8763 or visit WLCdegrees.com/Ambassador. You can make a difference!